Looking Ahead puts the spotlight on runners of interest across Australia and New Zealand. Whether they are a particularly well-bred or high-priced runner early in its career chasing maiden success, a promising galloper returning to the track or a horse which has trialled particularly well, we’ll aim to give you something to follow.
Two exciting 3-year-old runners are set to hit the track across Australia on Friday. A Hellbent filly with solid form deserves maiden success at Wagga and a Tosen Stardom (Jpn) filly chases her maiden victory at Port Macquarie.
Wagga, Race 2, 2.10pm AEDT, Ridley Wool Co Country Boosted Mdn H., $30.000, 1600m
Holy Hell, 3-year-old filly (Hellbent x Chabaud (NZ) {Lookin At Lucky {USA}})
It's a solid and strong form line for this promising Danielle Seib-trained filly, at her first start at Nowra she was only narrowly beaten by Shalmum (Shalaa {Ire}) over 1400 metres on December 15. Then at her second start she ran a very good fourth behind Altair I Am (I Am Invincible) at Randwick in a $100,000 super maiden event. This form looks very strong for a maiden race at Wagga and she looks the horse to beat on exposed face value.
Holy Hell is by Hellbent and is the third foal out of Chabaud (NZ) (Lookin At Lucky {USA}) who was a talented filly on the track winning the G3 South Australia Fillies Classic and the Listed Tasmanian Oaks. She has made a promising start to her broodmare career leaving Bravado - Star Brite (H.K.) (Toronado {Ire}) who has been a five-time winner and Rabairneach - Infinity Warrior (Mal.) who has won twice in Malaysia.
Holy Hell as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Holy Hell comes from a very good extended family, some of the classy stakes winners that feature within the page are the Group 1 winners Ruthless Dame (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), Sea Siren (Fastnet Rock) and Warm Heart (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
Chabaud, since producing Holy Hell, has left a 2-year-old colt by So You Think (NZ) named Scentrique, a yearling colt by Hellbent who heads to the 2025 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale in the draft of Lime Country Thoroughbreds as Lot 106, and she was most recently served by Mo’unga (NZ).
Holy Hell was purchased by Champion Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd from the draft of Lime Country Thoroughbreds for $150,000 at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Port Macquarie, Race 2, 1.50pm AEDT, Panthers Queen Of The North 24 January Mdn Plate, $27.000, 1500m
Not My Problem, 3-year-old filly (Tosen Stardom (Jpn) x Yesterday {Red Ransom {USA}})
Newcastle trainer Kris Lees prepares the 3-year-old filly Not My Problem (Tosen Stardom {Jpn}) who is looking for deserved maiden success at Port Macquarie’s Friday meeting.
She has been very consistent in her career so far running a solid fifth at Tamworth on debut on December 2 over 1200 metres and then she improved nicely to run a very narrow second at Taree on December 22 over 1300 metres behind Welcome Back (Pariah).
Not My Problem is by Tosen Stardom (Jpn) and is the ninth foal out of the Red Ransom (USA) mare Yesterday, she was a useful filly winning twice and the best of those wins was in the Listed Twilight Glow S.
Tosen Stardom | Standing at Woodside Park
She has made a useful start to her broodmare career leaving three winners including Times Past (Bernardini {USA}), (Siam) Warrior (Exceed And Excel) and Bransom (Brazen Beau).
Not My Problem has some interesting international pedigree influences throughout including Sunday Silence (USA), End Sweep (USA), Alzao (USA), Roberto (USA) and Damascus (USA).
Since producing Not My Problem, Yesterday has not produced another foal.
Looking Back
McKeyla (Shamus Award) won nicely at Yarra Valley, she showed a nice turn of foot late to win in stylish fashion. She could kick on to better company.
Oceana Dream (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) was very impressive winning at Tauranga, he looks a very talented gelding and he will not look out of place in any of the big 3-year-old feature races later in the season.
Happy Field (Deep Field) was a 'forget' run, he got caught wide throughout and understandably only battled in the home straight to run seventh. He could be a quick improver next time.
